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| |  | Youth Challenge Australia is working towards the third Millennium Development Goal of promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in Guatemala. | | | “I’ve learned how to use a machete, an axe, how to make bread and how to build a bathroom. But most important of all: I’ve learned that happiness comes not from wealth but from feeling part of a community and feeling connected with other people....” - Tim Kenworthy, Guatemala | | | PROGRAM FAST FACTS: | | Location: | Guatemala, Central America | | Duration: | 5 weeks | | Dates (approx): | January - February | | Project Areas: | Gender Equality, Human Rights, Education | | | PROGRAM OVERVIEW: | YCA has been working in Guatemala since 2006. We work in collaboration with Reto Juvenil International (RJI) to identify and support communities that require assistance to help them build a sustainable future. | | THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: | YCA’s projects in Guatemala are community-identified and hence each individual project is different. Typically, volunteers in Guatemala work alongside the United Nations Development Program and rural communities towards the empowerment of women, human rights, education and equality. Volunteers work with a multi-cultural team, engaging in activities ranging from capacity building with local associations, human rights conferences, art and craft workshops, health and education initiatives and micro finance projects. For an idea of what 5 weeks in Guatemala might involve, have a look at two recent projects. |  | | WHY DO WE WORK IN GUATEMALA?: | | Guatemala is a country of rich culture with a beautiful natural environment. However it is among the 10 poorest countries in Latin America. More than half the population lives in poverty, with nearly 17% living in extreme poverty. Unemployment, food insecurity and a lack of access to education and healthcare are just a few of the problems communities face. The ongoing support of Guatemalan communities is crucial to improvements in social and infrastructure development in rural areas, access to clean water and education across the country. The conservation of environment also plays a crucial role for the nation, as ecotourism is an increasing source of revenue for Guatemalan communities and families. | | 
| | Click here for Guatemala Photo Gallery | | |
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